the Lonesome Gods (1983) Read Online Free PDF Page B

friendly, I think." Then I said, "My father is sick. She knows that." "I reckon so." He was silent for several minutes and then he said, "I come an' I go, son, but you all just remember. You got you a friend in Jacob Finney. You need anything, you come to Jacob. Or send word, and I'll come to you."
    He finished the last crumbs of his beef and bread and added, "Folks out west stand by one another. It's the only way. An' your pa surely didn't waste no time unloadin' from that wagon when I went down.
    "Why, I'd hardly hit ground, with Injuns comin' up on me, when he was there, shootin' an' helpin'. That's a man, son, an' don't you forget it."
    Suddenly he pointed. "Look yonder! That's desert! Real of desert! But let me tell you somethin'. It's been called 'hell with the fires out,' an' that's a fair description, but there's life out there, boy! Life! You can live with the desert if you learn it. You can live with it, live in it, live off of it, but you got to do it the desert's way an' you got to know the rules.
    "But never take it lightly, son! If you do, she'll rise right up, an' the next thing you know, the wind is playin' music in your ribs and honin' your skull with sand. You take it from me, son, you just take it from me."

    Chapter 5
    My father was asleep when I climbed down from the lookout. The few shadows had thinned and i t was very hot. Mrs. Weber sat in the wagon's partial shade, occasionally fanning herself with her hat.
    Doug Farley looked up at me from where he sat near the rock wall. "How's things up yonder?"
    "We didn't see anything."
    "This hour, it isn't likely, but it doesn't mean they aren't out there."
    "No, sir."
    "You pay attention to Jacob, boy. He's right canny. He's got an instinct for places where there'll be trouble." Fraser's thin knees were drawn up before him, his back against a rock. His notebook was held against his knees and he was scribbling in it--I wondered about what. From time to time he looked up, as if thinking.
    A lizard, its tiny sides pumping for air, seemed to be watching me. In the far-off distance a red-brown ridge edged itself against the sky, but I was tired and looked for a place to lie down. All the good places were taken. I crawled into the wagon, although it was hot under the canvas.
    Alone in the wagon, I shivered, for I was very much afraid. I wanted to cry, but Mrs. Weber would hear me and I would be shamed before Mr. Farley and Mr. Finney. Huddled in a tight ball, I tried to forget the weird yells of the Indians and the shooting. I wished my mother were with me, and then I did not, for she would be afraid too. I t hought of my poor father, so sick and hurt, lying under the wagon.
    Then I heard a faint stirring and my eyes opened and I knew I had slept. It was all dark and still inside the wagon, and when I looked out, it was dark outside, too. Horses were being moved around, and somebody picked up the wagon tongue. Miss Nesselrode climbed into the wagon, and when I moved almost under her feet, she gasped.
    "It is me," I said.
    "Oh? Johannes, you startled me. I had no idea anybody was in the wagon. Are you all right?"
    "Yes, ma'am. I was asleep."
    "I envy you. I tried to go to sleep, but it was too hot. Mr. Farley is hitching the team now. We're going to go on.
    Mrs. Weber got into the wagon, and then one by one the others. Fraser helped my father when he climbed in. He sat down near me. "Are you all right, son? I'm afraid I haven't been much comfort.-
    "It's all right."
    Jacob Finney sat beside Farley on the driver's seat. We moved out, Mr. Kelso riding a little way before us.
    My father moved to the back of the wagon, where he could watch our trail. Fletcher watched and said, "You ain't in much shape for a fight."
    My father's reply was cool. "I hope I shall always do my share."
    "You hintin' I didn't?"
    "I never hint, my friend. I say what I mean. I was much too busy to observe what you were doing or were not doing. I would assume you did what you could." He paused